20 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit (If You Love Nature & Hate Crowds)

[Updated 4/23/ 2019] Stretching from the southeastern U.S. down to the north coast of South America, the Caribbean consists of more than 700 islands, islets, reefs, and cays.

Yet the vast majority of travelers seem to visit the same old hoary chestnuts( consider: the Cayman Islands, Grand Bahama, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) for their Caribbean Islands vacation year after year.

Fortunately, most of our favorite islands have yet to succumb to the wave of mass tourismthat’s currently sweeping Europe and some of the more popular beaches in Southeast Asia.

But, for more adventurous travelers, here are our pickings for 20 of the best Caribbean Islands to visit if you love nature and dislike mobs 😛 TAGEND

Located 100 miles east of its nearest Caribbean neighbour, Barbados offers big waves, a rugged northern coastline, and a mountainous interior that make it a haven for nature fans. Measuring simply 17 miles long and 14 miles broad, it’s is a tiny eastern Caribbean island with a huge heart.

Start by exploring Historic Bridgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s home to the Barbados Museum& Historical Society, whose collection includes artifacts from the island’s Amerindian and colonial history. You can even enter some of the old prison cells there.

In words of natural attractions, there’s the 1.4 -mile-long Harrison’s Cave, the 6.5 -acre Andromeda Botanic Gardens( featuring the largest collecting of tropical plants in the eastern Caribbean ), and the Flower Forest( which is now being filled with blooms, birds and monkeys ).

In terms of waterspouts, there’s also snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Folkestone Underwater Park& Marine Reserve, Scuba diving through sunken ships( such as the 360 -foot freighter S.S. Stavronikita ), and sailing in the trade winds off the island’s southern tip.

For a taste of true Bajan culture, head to the Friday night fish fry in the town of Oistin’s. And if you are able to period your visit for late July or early August, don’t miss the Crop Over Festival, the island’s most important culture celebration.

Where To Remain: Only 1 minute from the beach and overlooking Paynes Bay in St James, the Beach View Hotel is a small 36 suite self-catering hotel set on 3 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

Often confused with the Dominican Republic, “The Nature Island” is 65% covered in tropical rainforest, with more than 300 miles of hiking trails.

And that’s just one of the many reasons it’s at the top of our personal list of the best Caribbean destinations to visit. The impressive sea turtle preservation program on the island is another.

Thanks to copious rainfall, impressive waterfalls are everywhere, with Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, and Victoria Falls all attaining it worth the hardy hikes to reach them.

Other highlights include the Morne Trois Pitons National Park( the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Caribbean ), snorkeling Champagne Reef( where geothermal activity builds the water warm and bubbly ), and the Kalinago Barana Aute( home of the pre-Columbian Carib people ).

Where To Stay: For astonishing ocean views and private beaches check out Secret Bay , an award-winning boutique eco resort with six sustainable luxury villas.

With its growing focus on sustainable development- including eco-resorts, agritourism initiatives, and innovative environmental practises- Grenada is rapidly emerging as one of the best Caribbean islands for nature lovers.

The island has introduced/ expanded its protected areas, including Levera National Park( a nesting site for Leatherback Sea Turtles) and Grand Etang Forest Preserve( which offers birdwatching, hiking, and river tubing activities ).

If you get a chance, visit during the island’s countless cultural celebrations, which include the Grenada Chocolate Festival, Fish Fridays, and the Carriacou Maroon& String Band Music Festival.

Where To Stay: All 7 villas at Maca Bana are stylish, with hardwood decks, outdoor hot tub, and stunning opinions. It’s also home to one of Grenada’s best eateries, Aquarium, and a 3-minute walk from picturesque Magazine Beach.

The Grenadines are comprised of 31 islands and cays stretching between St. Vincent and Grenada, with ownership and governance divided between those two countries.

But the archipelago is sparsely populated. Even the biggest of the islands- 7.1 -square mile Bequia and 12.6 -square mile Carriacou- merely have around 5,000 to 6,000 permanent residents.

These remote, idyllic tropical vacation destinations are some of the most beautiful caribbean islands and are rarely visited. They offer travelers a getting-away-from-it-all experience with unspoiled beaches, endemic birds, and dazzling coral reefs teeming with marine life.

Bequia boasts beautifully forested mounds in the north, as well as some impressive float dives. The Tobago Cays, which are protected as a marine park, offer some of the finest snorkeling in the Caribbean.

Union Island, a kiteboarding haven, has recently emerged as an off-the-radar escapade traveling hotspot. And Carriacou teems with lively local culture, especially if you visit during Carnival.

Montserrat was a showcase for the lifestyles of rich countries and famous in the’ 60 s,’ 70 s, and’ 80 s, when classic albums by icons such as Dire Straits, Duran Duran, and The Police were recorded at Sir George Martin’s AIR Studios.

But in 1995 the long-dormant Soufriere Hills volcano roared to life, destroying the capital city of Plymouth and forcing two-thirds of the local population to flee.

Now the island has been reborn as a nature sanctuary. Nature lovers will enjoy exploring the island’s nine world-class rainforest hiking trails, stunning scenic coastlines, and some of the best Scuba diving the Caribbean has to offer.

Where To Remain: For beautiful sunset views and a centrally located spacious apartment check out, SeaView Suite. Noman, the owner, is happy to picking you up from the airport/ ferry and to arrange tours on his island.

Located approximately 31 miles south of Cuba, Isla de la Juventud( translation: Isle of Youth) was known as the Isle of Pines until 1978. Much of the countries of the western caribbean island is covered in lush pine forests, and lumber extraction remains a big business in the area.

Encompassing around 850 square miles, it’s the largest of the 350 islands in Cuba’s Canarreos Archipelago and the seventh-largest in the West Indies. But it only has a population of around 86,000 people, most of whom reside in the northern city of Nueva Gerona and the central city of Santa Fe.

The island’s intriguing ecotourism attractions include the beautiful waters and beach of Playa Paraiso, the rare Cuban Crocodile, and a cave complex near Punta del Este that features more than 200 ancient indigenous cave drawings.

Referred to as “Cuba’s Hidden Treasure, ” Isla de la Juventud also offers numerous hiking roads lined with animals and plant life and some of the best snorkeling and Scuba diving in the Caribbean.

Located about 40 minutes northwest of Cancun( around 3 hours by bus from the airport ), Holbox Island is a tiny fishing village that’s developing into a haven for ecotourism in the Caribbean.

The island is separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon that offer sanctuary to thousands of herons, flamingoes and numerous endangered species.

Golf carts are the most common form of transportation- no autoes let- with Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve and Isla Pajaros( Bird Island) ensuring you’ll insure more animals than people.

But the island’s big describe is the annual afuera, a meet of several hundred massive whale sharks who come to feed off the Yucatan Peninsula coast every June to September. Swimming with whale sharks was one of the most incredible adventures my daughter and I have had together.

Situated in the Caribbean Sea between Costa Rica and Jamaica, Providencia is part of a Colombia-owned archipelago located 482 miles northwest of the mainland.

The mountainous island( which has a maximum elevation 1181 feet) was the site of an English Puritan colony that was originally founded in 1629. But Isla de la Providencia was best-known as the base for Welsh pirate Henry Morgan, who eventually became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica.

Local rumors suggest that some of the treasure that Morgan( most well known as the face of Captain Morgan Rum) and his men pillaged during their many raids on Spanish ships remain buried here.

History fans will enjoy exploring the various forts and cannons that can be found scattered on neighboring Santa Catalina Island, that would be available via a footbridge. Visitors can also snorkel the island’s impressively pristine coral reef system.

” But wait ,” I can hear you saying.” Isn’t Jamaica the epitome of overtourism in the Caribbean ?”

Of course, if you stick to mass tourism caribbean vacation spots such as Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios, the answer is yes. But once you venture outside these meccas for sun/ sand/ surf worshippers, Jamaica has plenty to offer those attempting the sanctuary of nature.

The Blue Mountains are best known for growing some of the best coffee in the world. But they also offer fantastic hiking, with a lot of endemic flora and fauna and stunning views from the 7,402 -foot summit.

The southwestern parish of St Elizabeth is far off the typical tourist track. Outdoor activities there include swimming at Treasure Beach, go looking for Crocodiles on a Black River Safari Tour, and spending a day at YS Falls( which is a lot less mobbed than those at Dunn’s River ).

Elsewhere on the island, you are able to bathe in the Blue Hole Mineral Spring( Westmoreland ), visit Frenchman’s Cove and the Blue Lagoon( Portland ), or try surfing in St. Thomas.

Where to Bide: Between Jamaica’s northeast coast and the majestic Blue Mountains, Mocking Bird Hill is a romantic 4-star 10 room eco boutique hotel where you can stroll through 6.5 acres of botanically diverse gardens.

Where To Stay: Named one of the top hotels of 2014 by Forbes, Yemaya Island Hideaway is a 16 -cabana eco-resort offering a serious yoga program, farm-to-table food, and a peaceful atmosphere of laid-back luxury.

Located simply a 45 -minute boat ride away from the historic city of Cartagena, this little-known rich is an archipelago comprised of 30 small islands.

The islands are part of the Corales Islas del Rosario Natural National Park, which was created to protect 4,633 square miles of reefs, ocean grass, and mangroves( and the aquatic species that inhabit them ).

As you might expect, the snorkeling and Scuba diving here are superb. But you are able to have an equally amazing time merely curling up in a hammock with a stiff drink, watching the spectacular sunset over the sea.

Situated approximately 40 miles off the country’s northern coast, Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras.

The sleepy island’s population is chiefly a mixture of Cayman Islanders( who came over after Britain abolished bondage in 1838 ), Mestizo migrants from the mainland, and entrepreneurs and expats from the US, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.

Roatan’s cities can be a bit more on the bustling side than some of the other islands on this list. But there are also gorgeous remote beaches, wildlife refuges, and mangrove woodlands to explore.

But the main reason to visit Roatan is the fact that the island sits directly atop the Mesoamerican Reef, their second reef system in the world. So the snorkeling and Scuba diving here are easily among the best in the Caribbean.

The San Blas archipelago encompasses a whopping 378 islands and cays, stretching approximately 200 miles along the Caribbean coast of Panama.

Most of these impressively pristine islands have few roads and even fewer people. Many of the islands are ringed by healthy coral reef and gorgeous water, which has made them increasingly popular amongst Scuba divers and sailing enthusiasts.

The 49 San Blas Islands that are inhabited are largely home to the Kuna Indians, a semiautonomous tribe that was driven from the mainland during the Spanish intrusion. Many Kuna still practise the ancient traditions of their ancestors, including the crafting of brightly colored, appliqued fabrics known as molas.

In addition to learning about their indigenous culture, other popular activities in the area include snorkeling the calm water of Cayos Limones and Cayos Holandeses.

From gorgeous white sand beaches lined with palm trees and hammocks to brilliant waters colored in astonishing shades of blue, this 15 -acre island is a picture-perfect testament to the beauty of Belize’s cayes.

Located approximately 14 miles off the coast of Dangriga, South Water Caye is accessible by boat or a quick flight. But its idyllic, relatively pristine romantic allure feels far removed from the tourism development of mainland Belize.

The island’s greatest attraction for nature devotees is its remarkable proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef, which is part of the world’s second most important reef system after Australia‘s Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkeling right off the beach puts you in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, which boasts an impressive array of marine life, including Rainbow Parrotfish, Reef Sharks, Moray Eels, and Spotted Rays. If you get opportunity, don’t miss a chance to go on a nighttime diving or snorkeling tour: The reef’s colourings actually come alive after dark!

If you’re not a fan of snorkeling or Scuba diving, you can also go birdwatching on the aptly-named Bird Islands, try kayaking or paddle boarding, or search for the curious Manatees that frequent nearby Man Of War Caye.

The “A” in the ABC islands of the Netherlands Antilles( which also include Bonaire and Curacao ), Aruba is not what most people is waiting for a Caribbean hotspot.

Sure, there’s perfect climate, friendly people, stunning beaches that have been named among the most beautiful beaches in the world, and postcard-worthy ocean positions nearly everywhere you turn.

But the tiny southern caribbean island( 19.6 miles long and 6 miles broad) also features windswept trees and rugged shorelines on the northeast coast, and dramatic stone formations and desert-like scenery in the interior.

Animal devotees will enjoy the Bubali Bird Sanctuary( which provides breeding grounds for more than 80 species of migratory birds ), the Aruba Ostrich Farm( offering close encounters with the world’s largest bird species ), and Aruba’s Butterfly Farm( which has educational exhibits on the miracle of metamorphosis and offers excellent photo opportunities ).

Climbing the Casibari Rock Formation provides breathtaking positions of Aruba’s landscape. And caves along the coast feature stalagmites and stalactites, as well as a colony of bats( in Guadirikiri Cave) and Arawak Indian describes( in the Fontein Cave ).

Curacao is a curious country- as colorful as any of its Caribbean neighbors, but with a distinctive personality all its own. This is partly due to its place 40 miles from Venezuela, partly due to home ownership by the Netherlands, and partly due to its complex history.

You won’t want to miss the the capital city of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 500 years of history includes the 17 th century Fort Amsterdam, Mikve Israel Emmanuel Synagogue( the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere ), the Queen Emma and Queen Juliana Bridges, and the excellent slavery-focused Museum Kura Hulanda.

In terms of natural attractions, began with hiking in St. Christoffel and Shete Boka National Parks. St. Christoffel features hiking roads leading to Curacao’s highest point( 1,292 feet ); wildlife such as the rare White-tailed Deer; and ancient Arawak cave paints. Shete Boka offers a natural bridge, blowholes, and caves that serve as Sea Turtle breeding grounds.

You can also explore the island’s cactus-strewn backcountry via an ATV or Jeep safari, try an undersea escapade with Substation Curacao( which takes visitors 1,000 feet beneath the waves ), or Scuba dive world-renowned sites such as the Tugboat and the Blue Room.

This tiny 2-square mile island, with a population of just 110, is an under-the-radar ecotourism haven in the remote Exumas. And that’s precisely what constructs it one of the best Caribbean islands to visit.

With just two hotels, a restaurant/ bar, and a marina, there’s not much action in sleepy Staniel Cay to attract the cruise ship crowd.

But for nature lovers, there’s the picturesque Thunderball Grotto( featured in the 1965 James Bond film ), the famous swimming animals of Major Cay, sailing, and scuba diving in impossibly blue waters.

If that’s all a little too much activity for you, there are also several perfect little beaches without a single soul in sight.

Where To Bide: Built by Staniel Cay aborigines on their family’s ancestral lands, Embrace Resort is the area’s first sustainable eco resort. -Bret Love; photos by Bret Love& Mary Gabbett unless otherwise noted

FAQS What is the Caribbean?

Located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and North America , north of South America and east of Central America, the Caribbean is comprised of the Caribbean Sea, the islands within it and even some islands in the Atlantic Ocean( Bahamas& Bermuda ). Because of political and cultural connections, the Caribbean also includes the mainland countries of Belize, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

The enormous 1.06 million square miles of the Caribbean archipelago is divided into regions: the Lucayan Archipelago, the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and the ABC Islands.